North Charlotte Today

Jadeveon Clowney returned to practice for the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday after missing two weeks due to a shoulder injury. Joining him was D.J. Wonnum, who practiced for the first time since signing as a free agent. Wonnum, designated to return from the physically unable to perform list, has begun a 21-day window to rejoin the team following surgery complications last year.

"He's going to be a steal for this team if he just gets back to the same player he was in Minnesota, which he's been working towards," Clowney stated. "I talk to Wonnum almost every day. So I've been waiting on him, too, but I'm looking forward to getting him back on the team."

The Panthers had hoped that pairing Wonnum with Clowney would strengthen their defense. Last season, Wonnum recorded 8.0 sacks with the Vikings while Clowney had 9.5 sacks for Baltimore.

Currently, Charles Harris leads the Panthers in sacks with 2.0, and their defense ranks low in league standings. However, Clowney remains optimistic about improving over the next ten games.

"I know that," he said regarding his experience and understanding of football's demands. "I've played a lot of football. I just want everybody else to know it."

Panthers head coach Dave Canales is navigating challenges in his first season as head coach at age 43. Reflecting on recent difficulties including quarterback changes due to unforeseen circumstances, Canales remarked:

"I can honestly say, no, I have not," when asked if he'd experienced anything similar before.

He continued: "And I just know that hard times create perseverance; perseverance builds character...to see DJ Wonnum out there practicing and Josey Jewell and Adam Thielen for part of it...there's a lot of good things and positive things happening as well."

In other roster news, linebackers Chandler Wooten and defensive tackle T.J. Smith were re-signed to the practice squad after being waived earlier this week.

Wooten participated in 74 percent of defensive snaps against Washington recently while Smith contributed during Sunday's game amid injuries within their group.

The Panthers' practice squad is now complete again though they still have an open spot available on their main roster.